Matt Gaetz Under New Ethics Committee Investigation For Obstruction And Favors To Friends

The House Ethics Committee is probing whether Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., gave special privileges and favors to friends and obstructed a government investigation into his conduct, the panel said Tuesday in a rare public statement—a day after Gaetz claimed he faces a new “frivolous” probe.

The committee said it has closed its probes into allegations that Gaetz shared inappropriate images or videos on the House floor, misused state identification records, converted campaign funds to personal use, and/or accepted a bribe or improper gratuity.

The committee’s previously announced probes into whether he engaged in sexual misconduct and illicit drug use or accepted improper gifts are ongoing, it said, adding that it has “had difficulty in obtaining” information from Gaetz.

The House Ethics Committee clarified the status of its long-running investigation into Gaetz on Tuesday after the Florida congressman tweeted Monday it had opened “new frivolous investigations” into his conduct, predicting “exoneration.”